The Nigerian Senate is currently reviewing a bill seeking the creation of a new state named Anim State in the South-East geopolitical zone. Senator Osita Izunaso, who represents Imo West, revealed this during a media parley in Abuja to mark his two years in the National Assembly.
According to him, the bill has already passed its second reading and is now being examined by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.
Izunaso explained that the proposed state will be carved out of parts of Anambra and Imo States. He stressed that this is not a political favour, but a push for fairness and balance across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
“Every other zone in the country has six states except the South-East, which has only five,” he said. “The North-West has seven, while others have six. It’s time to correct this imbalance.”
The senator argued that the creation of Anim State would give the South-East a fairer share in federal appointments, resource allocation, and national representation. He also clarified that the state would only be created through a legal and democratic process, including a **referendum** among affected communities.
Izunaso also used the occasion to call for the **release of Nnamdi Kanu**, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in detention on terrorism charges.
He said granting Kanu bail and starting political dialogue could help reduce insecurity and agitation in the region.
“Many criminal elements are using the IPOB cause as cover,” he said. “Once Kanu is released, their activities will lose legitimacy. It won’t solve everything, but it will bring down the tension significantly.”
Izunaso maintained that peace in the South-East can be achieved if government adopts a more inclusive and political approach to the ongoing crisis, rather than relying only on force.
